Hey guys. My P4P gimbal, when the bird is tilted to the left side makes that horrible and scary squaeky sound, like it's struggling to do something but it's not happening. At the same time, it's vibrating very intenslively. I would assume it's normal, if it did it to the other side as well, but, guess what, when tilted to the right, it behaves perfectly. Another thing that (might???) be connected, is that on idle, the camera slightly aims to the left (1-2 degrees, almost negligible but noticeable). I've done IMU and gimbal calibrations but nothing changes. I tried to capture the sound/vibration on video, please raise your volume to hear it well. First tilt is on the right side (no problem there) but when I tilt it to the left (about 0:08 in the video) you can hear what I'm talking about.


Needless to say my P4P was 'babied' so far, not a single hint of crash or even touch of the gimbal with anything. (I'm taking off-landing with hand catching to ensure nothing goes wrong there). I always travel with both gimbal safeties on (guard plus foam in the back), and I've never turned it on without first removing the guard.

I've already requested a replacement from the retailer, but if you all experience the same, I might just keep what I have (it's already my second P4P, I'm starting to really get worried about what problems my next replacement will have....)

I love my Phantom 4 Pro and in the few days I've had it, it gave me some breathtaking visuals, but, really we're talking about a $1500+ semi-professional device, I cannot risk having a problematic equipment. I wish the built quality was a little better.

One of the side effects of the bad design regarding the gimbal.

The noise is quite normal, the gimbal has reached its end stop. It does not rotate forever.

Geebax Posted at 2017-4-13 22:25
The noise is quite normal, the gimbal has reached its end stop. It does not rotate forever.

I wouldn't say that's the case, as:

1. When the gimbal reaches its stop when tilting to other 3 directions (right, bottom, up) it makes a very specific reaction (camera goes all the way to the other direction, like a 'reset', without any sound). It does this loud scary struggling, friction  and extremely vibrating sound only when tilted to the left, specifically.

2. I don't see any notification/warning about gimbal roll reaching its end (as I see in other cases, as for example every single time I calibrate compass and while doing that the gimbal is getting crazy).

Same with my P4P as well. Please see this thread. P4P Gimbal Vibration Answer
Edit: But it's flying well so far. Knock on my head, hard. The videos shot by it's smooth as baby's bottom.

betonven Posted at 2017-4-14 05:09
I wouldn't say that's the case, as:

1. When the gimbal reaches its stop when tilting to other 3 directions (right, bottom, up) it makes a very specific reaction (camera goes all the way to the other direction, like a 'reset', without any sound). It does this loud scary struggling, friction  and extremely vibrating sound only when tilted to the left, specifically.

Whatever....

I took a more careful look today. The severe noise in that scary extend happens when the bird is tilted a lot, so, let's say we shouldn't care too much about it ( I guess you're not really interested in smooth footage when racing sideways).

However, a more subtle noise (along with the full vibration effect) keeps happening in very small tilt angles (the ones that you get when going sideways even with normal speeds. Again, only tilted towards the left. Nothing similar in any other direction (right, top, bottom).

So far my use has been 90% photography, and my video has been limited to front-back movements (sideways is kind of a special thing). Therefore, I'm not sure how this reflects to smoothness of footage. So far, my only other weird 'symptom' is that the camera is pointing a little to the left (nothing too bad though).
I'll check the smoothness out when I have the chance, but I'm thinking to get it replaced, rather than waiting to get it to service.

By the way, is the gimbal warranty really 6 months only??? (I've read that several times in this forum but it sounds unreal)

I have the same sounds when i calibrate the IMU it just sounds horrible. The Camera that points a little bit to the left is also present here. It makes it extremely difficult to fly straight.  The jello vibrating footage is also a daily occurance here with my new P4P. Traded in my Phantom 4 last thursday to upgrade to the P4P, but with all these issues the PRO has still i should have kept my Phantom 4.  <a href="https://ibb.co/hkUWY5"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/eZK9Lk/IMG_9071.jpg" alt="IMG_9071" border="0"></a>
<a href="https://ibb.co/mjv5t5"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/k5LG0k/IMG_9082.jpg" alt="IMG_9082" border="0"></a>
<a href="https://ibb.co/je0ifk"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/dFvG0k/IMG_9083.jpg" alt="IMG_9083" border="0"></a><br /><a target='_blank' href='https://nl.imgbb.com/'>image uploader</a><br />

I had the same problem and it was solved after replacing the rubber bands from P4.

My problem was solved after replacing the P4P itself...

So, I can confirm that this was NOT normal.
PS: It still does weird sounds everytime you turn it over for IMU or compass calibration, but at least it doesn't make them (along with the respective vibrations)  when you just tilt it in angles that are often met during flight and video shooting.